Portales Junior High news — April 13

April 12, 2010

NMSBA testing ends

Students finished the writing and science part of their state-mandated testing last week. They will have MAPS testing later this month. Data from the MAPS tests gives educators and students alike a look at their learning progress through the year.

Money raised for cancer research

During the week of March 15-19, students increased their awareness of the different types of cancers along with their treatments. During Academic Enrichment classes, students researched a specific type of cancer and created a collage describing the type of cancer, the treatments and effects on the individual and family. These collages were displayed in the hallways. Students and teachers also created paper chains with the names of people who have died from cancer, who are currently fighting cancer and those who have survived cancer. To put a name on the chain, the student or teacher made a small donation toward cancer research. Students and teachers also participated in a mini Relay for Life Rally. To attend the rally, students donated $3 to cancer research. During the rally, students walked around the track numerous times and participated in various games. All total, PJH raised $1,300 to donate to cancer research.

Science news

Congratulations to Clay Lee and Tyler Morgan for winning first place in their category at the regional Science Fair held in February. Their project was welding strengths.

Their win enables them to attend the State Science Fair in Socorro this month.

In other science news, students are busy preparing their science projects. Patricia Correll’s classes will combine concepts that they have learned throughout the year to describe an animal as well as the biome it lives in. Students will have the option of completing either a poster board or a Power Point presentation. Laura DeBusk’s honors classes have begun work on their catapult projects and will launch at 2 p.m. April 20. Also, her general classes are beginning work on their mousetrap cars this week.

Track

The PJH track team will travel to Tucumcari on Friday. The meet will begin at 2 p.m.